The Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Association of Nigeria has called on the National Assembly to revisit the bill seeking to criminalize substandard steel and other products in Nigeria.
The association also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make history by showing personal interest in such a matter to demonstrate his genuine concern for the safety and well-being of Nigerians.
The National President of IRSDEAN Gbenga Awoyale who stated this in a statement he made available to journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday while reacting to the recent building collapse in an Abuja building construction site, which claimed no fewer than 40 lives however chided the former President Buhari-led Federal Government’s for refusing to assent to bill criminalizing substandard products in Nigeria, a development he said has led to several building collapses and loss of lives in Nigeria till date.
Awoyale noted in the statement that the lack of stringent criminal punishment for producers of substandard steel and other products is responsible for the continued manufacturing of products that expose Nigerians’ lives to risk on a daily.
He also said in the statement that: “it is unfortunate that the lackadaisical attitude of former President Buhari’s administration towards tackling substandard production frontally is claiming the lives of countless Nigerians.”
He, therefore, urged the current administration to take a bold step against substandard steel and other building materials in the interest of Nigerian’s wellbeing.
” They or their families can also be a victim, we have seen owners of buildings trapped in building collapse,”he warned
He noted further in the statement that “the legal framework within which the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) is working will remain grossly effective and continue to be abused for personal gains”stressing that, “there should be an element of criminal prosecution against anyone caught in the act of substandard production.”
” Mere fines aren’t enough to safeguard lives and properties. We call on the present administration to live up to this challenge. The National Assembly has deliberated on this matter when raised by Rep. Ahmed Yinka Aluko but we are yet to see implementation of the resolution of the House.”
Awoyale recalled in the statement that “recently, the House Committee on Steel Development also waded in to the matter but we are aware the SON hasn’t been forthcoming in providing the details requested on certain steel manufacturers in Nigeria and we begin to wonder whose interest are they serving; is it that of Nigerians whose common patrimony is used in paying them or defiant substandard manufacturers, mostly expatriates who have no regard for the lives of Nigerians?”, Awoyale queried.
He added that”the National Assembly has deliberated on this matter when raised by Rep. Ahmed Yinka Aluko but we are yet to see implementation of the resolution of the House. “
Awoyale called on the National Assembly to revisit the bill seeking to criminalize substandard steel and other products in Nigeria.
